"My esteemed colleagues, welcome to the Regional Elf Meeting, Secretary Num Num will recite last year's minutes by heart since none of us have eyes. Secretary Num Num, you have the floor.

Gnomes, Tomte, Nisse or Tonttu. In Scandinavian countries, these little creatures guard your home. In Swedish, their name comes from the old word tomt which means plot - the plot of land where your home is. A well kept home is said to have its own resident Tomte, who keeps it tidy and safe.